The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to host the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of the NLDS. The series gets officially underway at 8:37 p.m. ET and the game will be televised on MLB Network.
Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Odds
Los Angeles (-170) is hosting this one as the favorite over Atlanta (+160) and Vegas has put the Over/Under for this game at 7 runs. The odds for betting on the game’s total sit at -120 for the over and +100 for the under. Bettors can also wager on the game’s runline with the odds standing at -135 for the Braves +1.5 runs and +115 for the Dodgers -1.5.
The Braves are 90-72 SU and have gone 82-79 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 19.6 units for moneyline bettors, despite having lost 1.0 unit ATS. Atlanta is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Dodgers, on the other hand, are 92-71 SU and 75-88 ATS. They’ve lost 21.5 units for moneyline bettors and 13.7 units ATS. Los Angeles has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the over has hit in four of those seven.
Neither squad has been an obvious over/under bet this season. Dodgers games have an over/under record of 77-77-9 in 2018. Braves games have gone under 78 times, gone over 77 times and pushed on six occasions.
Mike Foltynewicz is getting the start for the visiting Braves. The right-handed Foltynewicz is 13-10 with a 2.85 ERA and 202 strikeouts. He’s 0-1 with eight strikeouts and a 7.20 ERA against Los Angeles this year.
The Dodgers will turn to lefty Hyun-Jin Ryu (7-3, 1.97 ERA), who has 89 strikeouts and 15 walks to his name as well as a WHIP of 1.01. Ryu has yet to face the Braves this year and did not record a start against them in 2017.
As a unit, Los Angeles’ pitching staff has yielded 3.7 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 3.19 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 9.5 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.72 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 9.7 K/9.
The Los Angeles offense has put up 4.9 runs per contest, including 6.9 per game over its last 10 games and 7.0 per game over its last five. The team has slashed .326/.385/.556 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that span.
The Dodgers’ batters have been led by first baseman Cody Bellinger and outfielder Chris Taylor. Bellinger is slashing .260/.343/.470 with 25 home runs, 76 RBIs, 84 runs and 14 steals, while Taylor is hitting .254 with 17 homers, 63 RBIs and 85 runs.
In the other dugout, Atlanta’s pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 3.50 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 8.67 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 4.15, along with a K-per-9 of 8.98.
The Braves offense has slashed .257/.326/.417 on its way to 4.7 runs scored per game in 2018, including 4.0 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 2.4 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
First baseman Freddie Freeman and right fielder Nick Markakis have paced Atlanta’s hitters. Freeman is hitting .309/.388/.505 with 23 home runs, 98 RBIs and 94 runs scored, while Markakis is hitting .297/.366/.440 with 14 homers, 93 RBIs and 78 runs scored.
The Braves have lost 5.4 units and are 18-28 ATS when facing a left-handed starting pitcher this year. The over has cashed in 23 of those games, as opposed to 22 that’ve gone under against lefties. On the other hand, the Dodgers have lost 20.2 units and are 42-56 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s hit in 54 of those games, compared to 40 that went under the total.
Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Dodgers, ATS Winner – Braves, O/U – OVER
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Notes
Betting Trends
Atlanta has tallied eight extra-base hits over its last five outings. Los Angeles has 24 XBH over its last five.
The Braves have hit four home runs in their last 10 games. The Dodgers have hit 17 over their last 10.
Los Angeles has recorded 29.7 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 31.4 over its last five.
The Braves have dropped four of their last five games SU.
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